Food briefs: Eat local challenge, pasta party and more

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Salt Lake City's "Eat Local Challenge" kicks-off this week with a series of events and classes to encourage people to eat food grown or produced within a 150 mile radius of their home. The challenge is sponsored by Wasatch Community Gardens, Slow Food Utah and the Downtown Farmers Market.

Pasta Party and Sauce Swap • Wednesday, Sept. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Viking Cooking School, 2233 S. 300 East, Salt Lake City. Learn how to make your own pasta from local ingredients. Bring a container of your favorite homemade pasta sauce to swap with others. Cost is $10, includes pasta ingredients.

Info • Pre-register for the classes and cheese tour at wasatchgardens.org

Casting call for new reality show

Crews from TLC and the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) will be in Salt Lake City Sept. 14-16 to cast a new reality TV show involving two well-known Utah food companies. In each episode, "outgoing, opinionated and creative consumers" will be given the chance to help either Mrs. Fields Cookies or TCBY Frozen Yogurt  companies that have been struggling in the current economy, explained Scott Goldstein, casting director.

"The show is extremely positive and allows the average everyday customer a chance to work with and help reconfigure one of their favorite companies," he said in a news release announcing the casting call.

Participants must be at least 18 years old; be passionate about one of the Utah-based companies; and be creative enough to come up with ways to improve the brand. There is pay involved if chosen for the show. To apply, email your name, age, occupation and contact information to customercasting@gmail.com. In your email, include which brand  Mrs. Fields or TCBY that you would like to help and what changes you would make if you were the boss.

Utah student a 'Pasta Tales' winner

Chandler Wambach, a first grade student from St. George, was a grade-level winner in Olive Garden's 16th annual "Pasta Tales" essay writing contest. He received a $500 savings bond and a family dinner at Olive Garden. For the contest, students in first through 12th-grade were asked to submit an essay answering the question, "If you were given $5,000 to support education in your local community, how would you use it and why?" Wambach, who is home schooled, said he would give it to his local library. More than 29,000 entries were submitted in this year's contest.

Opa! It's Greek Festival time

Celebrate Greek food and culture during the 2012 Salt Lake Greek Festival. The ethnic festival, now in 37th year, offers a full menu of food and baked goods. Guests can take a church tour, sit in on a cooking demonstration or watch youth dance performances. A portion of all the proceeds is donated to Utah charities.

The Utah Brazilian festival offers food, music and a traditional Samba parade with colorful costumes and fire dancers. This year's event also features Brasil 360, a 20 minute, interactive exhibit that takes you through a complete tour of the country from Rio de Janeiro to the Amazon.

When • Saturday, Sept. 8, 1 to 7 p.m.

Where • Gallivan Center, 250 South Main St., Salt Lake City

Cost • Free admission; cost for food and crafts

Be a sushi master

Learn the art of making sushi during the Sushi 101 class at the Benihanna in Salt Lake City. Attendees will learn to roll sushi, proper dipping techniques and etiquette.

When • Saturday, Sept. 8, 3 to 5 p.m.

Where • Benihanna, 165 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City

Cost • $35, includes appetizer, sample of rolls and photo. Must be 21 or older.

Info • Register at: benihana.com/sushi_101.

Cooking school at Thanksgiving Point

Get new recipes and learn expert cooking techniques during the Taste of Home Cooking School. Culinary specialist, Kristi Larson, will provide step-by-step instructions on seasonal dishes from the Taste of Home's cookbooks, magazine and website, tasteofhome.com. All attendees will receive coupons, samples and a chance to win prizes. Food, clothing, jewelry and craft vendors will be on hand during a pre-show event that also includes a children's Halloween fashion show and a mommy makeover contest.

Where • The Thanksgiving Point Show Barn, 3003 N. Thanksgiving Way, Lehi.

Cost • $13 for advance, $15 the day of the event. Thanksgiving Point members get a $2 discount on advance tickets.

Info • purchase online at thanksgivingpoint.org; by phone, 801-768-4900; or at the box office, Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

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